Baseball Headline

Thursday June 10, 2010UF Baseball Pre-NCAA Super Regional Quotes

Head Coach
Kevin O’Sullivan, junior Josh Adams (Jacksonville, Fla.) and
sophomore Preston Tucker (Tampa, Fla.) of the fourth-ranked Gator
baseball team met with the media on Thursday following their final practice
before starting NCAA Super Regional action tomorrow at 7 p.m. against No. 11
Miami (Fla.).

Head
Coach Kevin O’Sullivan

On if
he preferred to play Miami:

“It
doesn’t matter who we play. This is a chance to make it to Omaha. It’s the best
two out of three and we are playing at home. We aren’t going to underestimate
or overestimate anybody. The bottom line is we can only concern ourselves with
our team and we have to play well.”

On if
it’s an advantage playing Miami in the Super Regional:

“I think
any time you play against a team you’ve already seen you know a little more
about them. It certainly helps but Miami is Miami. They have a good ballclub
and have played well down the stretch. We are going to have to play our best if
we want to come out on top this weekend.”

On
facing Miami over three months ago during the regular season:

“Their
team is probably different now and so is ours. We are totally different. We
feel like we are a better club than we were in March. Like I said, we just have
to focus on the Florida Gators. We had a really good practice this morning and
we are going to bring our best stuff this weekend.”

On
whether the approach changes for an in-state rival:

“Whether
its Miami or Florida State, there is always going to be that added rivalry
there. We try to approach every game the same, whether it’s an in-state rival
or someone we’ve never faced before. I think that’s how we have to approach
this weekend. We have to stay as even-keeled as possible and respect our
opponent every time we take the field.”

On the
team’s mindset this year as compared to going into the 2009 Super Regional:

“I think
the expectations were there from the beginning this year. From a coaching
standpoint, I feel a lot more relaxed this year than I did last year. Last year
I just felt like everything was rushed. We didn’t know anything about Southern
Miss. Our pitching wasn’t quite as stable as it is this year. Not to take
anything away from last year’s team, but we got hot at the end and I felt very
rushed. I felt like everything was crammed in at the end of the season. This
year we feel a lot more relaxed and kind of know what to expect. From a
coaching standpoint, it’s a lot more even-keeled than it was last year.”

On how
the team is more relaxed:

“I think
we are more focused and know what to expect. Certainly I don’t mean that we are
more nonchalant. I think we are more confident, ready to go and know what to
expect. By now means are we carefree, but we are ready for the task at hand.”

On the
team chemistry:

“The
chemistry is really good. The older players have embraced the younger players
and vice versa. When you look at guys like Matt den Dekker and Kevin Chapman,
they haven’t acted like seniors but they’ve acted like just a part of the team.
The same thing can be said for the freshmen. There has been no talk of me or I.
It’s a true team and it’s been really enjoyable to coach this team.”

Junior
Second Baseman Josh Adams

On the
team’s mindset:

“I think
our mindset is the same as all of the teams have going into the Super Regional
– we have to win. There’s not really anything else on our minds or any other
way that we will approach this weekend.”

On the
team chemistry:

“We get
along with everyone on the team. As soon as the freshmen arrived we really knew
we had a special group this year. Even when we aren’t playing baseball we are
all hanging out together. Obviously we have been through some ups and downs
because that’s how all teams are but we are like brothers.”

Sophomore
First Baseman Preston Tucker

On his
feelings heading into this weekend:

“I’m
really excited for this weekend. Last year we were so close. If someone had
told us we needed to win two out of the three at home to go to the College
World Series I would be psyched. Unfortunately we didn’t come out on top last
year but this year I feel a lot more confident. Who wouldn’t want to see Miami facing Florida to go to the CWS? I think we are well prepared.”

On
whether he preferred to play Miami:

“I don’t
think our mentality would be any different if we were playing Texas A&M.
Obviously, playing against Miami really gives some extra hype going in. We
know more about their pitching staff and their lineup so that’s an advantage.
I’m just really excited and ready to get things going.”